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DammmmDaniel (100

)
26 Apr 17 UTC

Boy Scouts

I am having problems acquiring my Eagle Scout

DammmmDaniel (100 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

I am really close to my Eagle. I finished my Eagle Project and I am wrapping up my application. Then one thing shook me. Apparently in order to become a boy scout you need a religious letter of recommendation from a religious figure in your community. But like, I am not religious at all.... Am I the only one that finds this shocking? I mean I knew that Boy Scouts has always been a religious based organization (no matter how much they try to deny it) but I have put my sweat blood and weekends into Boy Scouts for the past 10 years... Over half my life. Too realize that I might get denied my Eagle because I am not religious.... I find it repulsive personally. Anyone else? Views? Thoughts?

P.S.
I tried talking to the board and a letter of recommendation from a religious organization is required for sure. No way to get around it. I realize I can just lie through my teeth and get my Eagle but, like why is this even a requirement?

Zybodia (355 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

You've been lying for years about it, every time you said the law and oath. What's different about this time?

DammmmDaniel (100 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

Its just weird that it plays such a huge role in Boy Scouts to me

goldfinger0303 (3157 )
26 Apr 17 UTC
(+1)

As an Eagle Scout, you're full of crap. I needed no such thing.

goldfinger0303 (3157 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

I mean, yes there are no atheists in Scouts, but like...that's always been the case, on paper. You and your parents can just lie about it. Like probably half the rest of them do.

But a letter of recommendation? Absolutely not. In your manual it should even say that your parents will do if you don't attend official services.

DammmmDaniel (100 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

eagle scout application checklist genius try checking it, then tell me I am full of crap
http://imgur.com/a/fCz9i
and as a member of the SHAC we aren't allowed to utilize the bypass method that the BSA "allows for and accommodates for"

DammmmDaniel (100 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

SHAC= Sam Houston Area Council. I know an older friend who aged out because he claimed atheism. The loophole that they use is if you aren't affiliated with an "organized religion" therefore you still have to claim to be a part of some sort of religion.

goldfinger0303 (3157 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

Daniel, I'm more than aware of the requirements. As I said, I reached my Eagle years ago.

http://www.scouting.org/Home/GuideToAdvancement/EagleScoutRank.aspx

But let me pull out the relevant quote for you

"References: Must list all six (five if not employed). If not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference."

goldfinger0303 (3157 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

And the local councils literally can't do that.

orathaic (1009 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

Have you tried the church of the flying spaghetti monster?

Or Maybe Discordianism? I think i'm a qualified pope...

But seriously, as a scout leader i know the frustrations of religion in our movement. It was only last year that we adopted an alternative version of our Scout Promise which no longer even technically discriminates against atheists.

And i know the eagle scout award is pretty big in the US, but the journey is often more important than the destination.

Not to suggest you give up and appreciate all you have learned, but to take this as a challenge, one which, while perhaps unexpected, is likely something you will face in the real world often enough.

Rise to it.

bo_sox48 (5202 )
26 Apr 17 UTC
(+1)

Lol, gold, you think a local BSA council wouldn't try to subtly bypass national rules in order to forward their own twisted beliefs by pushing them on well-meaning kids? You must be living under a rock.

Hauta (1618 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

Your worth should not come from an outside organization or else they own your ass. (Note: I know you never said that it did). So, becoming eagle is about the accomplishment. If you accomplished everything but didn't get the title, then you should still have the feeling of accomplishment and be proud.

Now, lots of guys stick with boy scouts until they achieve Eagle because they think it helps them get into college. Maybe it does, but if I had to choose between Eagle and a better class rank (or better ACT/SAT scores), I'd choose the latter. Nothing easier for a low-paid admissions staff to do than to compare scores and just shitcan the low ones and accept the high ones.

btw, congratulations on your achievement! -- regardless of whether you're called Eagle.

Ogion (3817 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

Yep. You might all to your local unitarians. They might be able to help you out.

I left the scouts after a couple of years because I could handle all the fake religious nonsense.

JamesYanik (548 )
26 Apr 17 UTC
(+1)

why not just create a religion? it's like super easy. or pay 200$ to some scientology guys that'll do it.

in any case, make sure not to take yourself too seriously after you're an eagle scout. i've met some who are decent guys who know their stuff, and i always know some who get lost on what isn't even a 50 mile drive and nearly end up in Arkansas, and make me miss the entire damn pot luck the little shit while i drive around with my parents in some "Hey didn't they shoot Deliverance out here?" back-woods freaky bullshit until nearly midnight.

but uh... yeah. respect, honor and responsibility and all that crap needs to be taken more seriously than your title.

WyattS14 (100 )
26 Apr 17 UTC
(+1)

@JamesYanik, Who hurt you?

JamesYanik (548 )
26 Apr 17 UTC
(+2)

every year there's at least one pot luck. last year it got ruined because of that eagle scout asshat who can read a compass and use stars to find where he is BUT CANT FIND A DAMN WAY DOWN A MAP, and then, and then, and then, the one this year got rained out and now it's going to be another 3-4 months... and and and there was going to be ribs and chicken and dry rub and steak and baked potatoes but the good kind without that bullshit cream and there was going to be the new smokehouse working again but it got rained out IT ALL GOT RAINED OUT AND IT'S BEEN LIKE 1 AND A HALF YEARS NOW AND I CANT TAKE IT

DammmmDaniel (100 )
26 Apr 17 UTC
(+1)

Wow buddy+1 for raging but I have never seen you so worked up lol

JamesYanik (548 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

i actually teared up when i heard the water had risen above the low water bridge.

all that poor steak and pork and chicken. i only can hope that someone out there had a decent barbecue. that someone out there enjoyed it.

Jacob63831 (160 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

So the requirement is:

"You must have a letter from the following

-Your parents
-Religious leader
-your school

If you do not have a religious leader please have your parent complete the letter as they are the ones that set the family traditions and values"

So your parents can just write the letter if you aren't religious.

CAPT Brad (40 )
26 Apr 17 UTC

i avoided all of that as a Sea Cadet

goldfinger0303 (3157 )
26 Apr 17 UTC
(+2)

"Now, lots of guys stick with boy scouts until they achieve Eagle because they think it helps them get into college. Maybe it does, but if I had to choose between Eagle and a better class rank (or better ACT/SAT scores), I'd choose the latter."

Well, first off, besides the project, becoming an Eagle Scout isn't time intensive to the extent that it would impact your grades. Most get their projects done during the summer anyways, when school doesn't interfere. Secondly, its absolutely worth it for the resume, over grades. Seven years later and all my job interviewers still brought it up when I leave it as a footnote on my resume. Besides, you never know when your interviewer might be an Eagle Scout themselves, and you automatically have an extra way to connect with them. And if you're looking for joining the armed services, you jump up two pay grades automatically and have a much better chance of attending a service academy.

21 replies

goldfinger0303 (3157

)
14 Apr 17 UTC

GvI 1v1 Strategy

A thread to talk about strategy and openings for GvI. Particularly from an Italian perspective.

12 replies